Is anyone else a bit... surprised that Jerry Falwell is dead?

[FVZA_Colonel]

Now, I just want to say right away that I don't miss him at all. But nonetheless, he was something of a constant in American politics during my youth and (still ongoing) formative years, and for him to just drop dead like that is sort of shocking. I honestly expected him to be around for another decade or two.

[BlueStater]

1. Not really

There was some initial shock from me but it wasn't really all that surprising. He was 73 and horribly obese.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Well

he was overweight, had heart problems and 73 years old. No surprises for me. I read the obits every day and a whole bunch of folks are dying without getting close to 73.

[FVZA_Colonel]

4. This probably was coming for a while.

And I would say I'm "over it" by now, but I still did feel a bit shocked opening up my web browser for the first time today and seeing "Jerry Falwell dead at 73" across Yahoo.

[BOSSHOG]

9. I think there is always that initial shock

My stepmom was eat up with cancer lying on her death bed back in 89 and I just knew that she would be fine and dandy in a couple of weeks or so. I was overwhelmed when she died. Even though its inevitable its hardly expected.

[fasttense]

3. It was God's revenge.

All the money he made, his soul is going to have a tough time passing through the proverbial eye of the needle. I bet the camel gets through first.

[firefox_fan]

5. Nope. At that age, things can go wrong any time.

[Old and In the Way]

6. I thought he'd be raised directly to heaven.

He seemed to think that he was God's instrument here on Earth. He was a hateful, mean spirited partisan Republican. I'm surprised his God didn't just reel him up while the trumpets of heaven were announcing his arrival.

[OlderButWiser]

7. This is the first I heard he died...

...I must tell you that I am terribly shook up and saddened up by this news. I don't know how long it will take me to get over this terrible event. Ok, I'm over it now.

[Taverner]

8. Not me - and I'm just waiting for the other two shoes to drop

"Dr." Dobson and Pat

[Bjornsdotter]

18. That is so bad

....I thought I was the only one. :evilgrin:

Cheers

[Aristus]

10. There's no vacuum to fill. He's passed his hatred and poison along

to his spawn, who will continue it in his memory. So the Falwell name will still be a constant (constant lies, constant distortions, constant hatred, constant bigotry, constant homophobia, constant misogyny, etc, etc.) in American politics.

[FVZA_Colonel]

24. Sadly, that is true.

His influence may have diminished somewhat, but the "movement" as a whole sure as hell isn't dead. Instead of Falwell, we have people like Dobson and Franklin Grahm.

[janx]

11. All good things must come to an end, and it's the same

with the wildwood weed!

[jollyreaper2112]

12. don't worry (or do!) he'll be back

[Redstone]

13. I think God just woke up from a 20-year nap.

Redstone

[Critters2]

14. He was the same at which my mom died--

and he was in much less healthy a condition. So, not really a surprise.

Now I'll be interested to see who attends the funeral.

[Warpy]

22. I dunno, but I keep fantasizing

the funeral scene at the opening of "Charade."

Still, bring on the hypocrisy. I imagine at least three quarters of the people "mourning" him in death hated his guts in life.

[damntexdem]

15. Oh no: the Devil never comes through with his end on those deals.

Now Jerry realizes that he sold his soul too cheap.

[shenmue]

16. I was, I didn't know how old he was

These days, 73 is early.

Still, I'd much rather the years he didn't get, be sent to someone else.

[Quixote1818]

17. I was looking at a photo of Pat Robertson the other day and wondered

if he was close to kicking the bucket. Guess Fallwell beat him to it.

[Warpy]

19. I remember a country without CBN and televangelists

It seems like he was here forever, but he wasn't.

[FVZA_Colonel]

23. I truly envy you.

I was born at 9:02 AM Pacific Standard Time on March 16, 1987. I've never had a chance to live in an America without these people. God willing, I'll be able to someday before I die. And if I am unable to, then perhaps my children will be able to.

[kskiska]

20. Funny he hadn't predicted it.

He seemed to have "visions" and hear voices from God on even less significant matters such as natural disasters and weather.

[slackmaster]

21. Yes, I just learned of it about 1:40 PM Pacific time

I am indeed surprised.